I am a fan of Costco, despite the fact that it helps contribute to crazy American consumerism. You just can’t beat it for some kinds of purchases, including toilet paper, paper towels, and believe it or not, meat. I don’t feel too guilty about it, especially since Costco is not Wal-Mart!

Anyway, yesterday, based on my friend Jaskey’s recommendation, I headed over to the Costco Business Center in Lynnwood and was pleasantly surprised. The Business Centers cater, as you might expect, primarily to businesses, and as such, don’t have things like clothing, jewelry, TV sets, stereos, CDs, DVDs or books. However, what they do have is restaurant supplies, like heavy duty tongs, mixing bowls, and pans, bottle stopper pourers, big square Rubbermaid containers with measurements on them, and really nice measuring cups and spoons. They also have coffee urns, espresso makers, and restaurant only cooktops/ranges. All of this in addition to some of the regular stuff that other Costcos have, like food, bedding, and pharmaceuticals.

Another added advantage was that it wasn’t nearly as crowded or busy or loud as a regular Costco, and there were no kids! So, I was able to get in and get out pretty quickly, even though I did spend quite a bit of time browsing the restaurant supplies.

Oh, and within weeks, there will be a new (regular) Costco 10 minutes from my house. It will literally be my closest store! Yay!

Yes, I know, I’m easily amused, but I thought I’d share in case anyone else is also easily amused.

I’ve written before about how crappy this job is, and the only thing that made this time better was that it’s 80+ degrees instead of freezing. My back is killing me. Good thing I have a hot tub to soothe it.

I am still digesting it and realizing that I should have gone back and read OOtP first. However, I agree with boniblithe that the editing was tighter on this one, and therefore the story was easier to follow than OOtP. I am wondering if I would remember more of OOtP if it was 100 pages shorter.

I suspect that everyone has something in his/her life that they feel they’ve spent far too much money, time, and effort on. For some, it’s collectibles, for others, gadgets, and for some it may be cars or boats.

As a Liberal, I have to say I’m enjoying the dance the White House is doing attempting to protect its precious Rove. After all, it was Mr. Rove who is the evil spinmeister, and recently said that “liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers.”

It amuses me that the best summation I’ve seen of the Plame case and this hubub so far was done by the Daily Show. Jon grew up not too far from me, and I do so appreciate his success and share his disbelief at what goes on.